I've read this Garwood - and several of her other works - many times and was delighted to see that it's now at audible.com but was disappointed to see that Anne Flosnik as narrator. Ms. Flosnik does a satisfactory presentation of female voices, however, she consistently destroys male voices. She makes male characters sound like arrogant, expiring Darth Vaders making them - IMHO - boring and unlikeable. I think Simon Prebble does a much more credible presentation.

Strong characters and a compelling setting lay a firm foundation for a good read.

How could the performance have been better?

At the beginning of the book the narrator ends most every sentence with a breathy sigh and continues to repeat unfortunate choice of cadence frequently throughout the book - it distracts repeatedly from the story.

Any additional comments?

The narrator has a good variety of character accents. It seems that she's working so hard on her accents that she looses her ability to vary her cadence and tenor.The story was well written and compelling and I'll look forward to reading 'Garwood's work again.

Julie Garwood is a very talented author. I have enjoyed reading most her books, and this one didn't disappoint. How ever good the story, how ever great the characters, it is the talent behind the pen that makes a good book GREAT. Garwood does a wonderful job with character development and dialogue, her descriptive writing makes her stories live. Her writing and Anne Flosnik's narration transports you into the story, it's as if you are watching it unfold.

Set in medieval times, "Honor's Splendour" is about a baron seeking revenge for his sister's rape. He plans to kidnap the sister of his enemy; an eye for an eye--a sister for a sister. It begins when Baron Louddon has Baron Duncan of Wexton, known as "The Wolf", undressed and tied to a post in the middle of winter to freeze to death, so there would be no marks on his body. Madelyne (the sister of his enemy) plans to escape her brothers abuse, but first she feels compelled to save the poor warrior from certain death. Not knowing he is there to kidnap her; she frees him and he captures her. Duncan immediately sees she is nothing like her brother when Madelyne unselfishly helps him and warms his frozen feet with her own body. So, he needs to adjust his plans.

Julie Garwood has a wonderful sense of humor which can be seen in her characters. Like the sweet, naive Lady Madelyne who want to save the world, keeps telling everyone that she is a quiet woman, but she is usually doing it at the top of her lungs....or in trying to cover over her disobedience she will say something like, "I have gone through an ordeal". It is not funny when I relate it, but it is funny and cute when penned by Ms Garwood and narrated by Anne Flosnik. I just love Madelyne's character.

This is not going to be an easy go for anyone who is familiar with history, especially medieval life. At all. OK, no one actually pulled out a cell phone, but it was a little difficult to suspend disbelief some times. It's a Romance, nothing more, not a history lesson, and it IS entertaining. Which can certainly be enough. I'd be cruising along in a medieval mind set and then run into something a few centuries too modern and it would sort of stop me in my tracks. I'd have to tell myself to get over it or pretend I didn't read it, and go on and enjoy the story. Which was possible because it IS an enjoyable story.

If you enjoy historical romance novels, you will love this book. I think it's fair to say that no one does it better than Julie Garwood. You will enjoy getting to know the characters she writes about. Like her other historical romance novels, this book not only features a strong-minded man, but a strong-minded woman. Garwood does a wonderful job of playing with the expectations of the time period she's writing about, and pushing at them just enough to make it neither totally unbelievable, nor completely unpalatable.

Some previous people have criticized the narrator, Anne Flosnik. In many ways their critiques are appropriate. She is a little over-dramatic...to the point that it may sometimes prompt an eye roll or two from the listener.

Nonetheless, I found this thoroughly enjoyable. It's the type of audiobook you don't want to end.

This story is great, however Anne Flosnik is terrible. Her voice sounds gruff, gravelly, and strained from speaking too low. It's almost painful to listen to. It's very disappointing considering the story is so good.